Jacob Elordi’s Frankenstein performance in Guillermo del Toro’s new Netflix film brings a fresh interpretation to the iconic creature, adding layers of nuance and humanity rarely explored in past adaptations. This innovative take challenges conventional expectations of the monster and offers audiences a vivid reimagining that stands apart from Mary Shelley’s original vision.
Netflix’s Commitment to Reimagined Content
Netflix has built a reputation for not only delivering unique original stories but also for investing in inventive adaptations that push creative limits. Recent successes like Stranger Things, inspired by classic adventure films while forging its own narrative path, exemplify this approach. Films such as Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, which play with the conventions of cliffhanger storytelling, demonstrate the platform’s willingness to take risks with bold ideas. In this environment, classic tales like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are reinterpreted rather than simply retold, a trend that is apparent with del Toro’s film and will likely continue with Greta Gerwig’s planned adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.
Guillermo del Toro’s Creative Departure From Tradition
Guillermo del Toro is known for his audacious vision, consistently choosing challenging subject matter over the easier route. For Frankenstein, del Toro diverges from the original story, opting to reframe the Creature’s journey with empathy and psychological depth. Rather than presenting the monster as a simple figure of horror, the narrative crafts a complex protagonist whose suffering and longing for acceptance are fully on display. This shift revives the moral dilemmas at the core of the Frankenstein myth while making the Creature more accessible to modern viewers. Comparisons naturally arise with influential science fiction works, highlighting the enduring relevance of the tale’s themes.
Victor Frankenstein and the Birth of the Creature
The film paints Oscar Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein as a man driven by loneliness and misunderstanding. Victor’s upbringing is marred by a father who is distant and abusive, leaving his mother as his primary support. The sense of isolation intensifies with her death, propelling Victor to pursue forbidden knowledge in hopes of overcoming loss. Scientific ambition becomes his escape and obsession, even as the wider community remains indifferent to his ideas. The presence of Henrich Harlander, a wealthy believer who shares his views on death, enables Frankenstein to access the resources and bodies needed for his experiment.
The pivotal moment arrives during a stormy night, when Victor assembles the Creature from cadaver parts and succeeds in bringing him to life. Initially fascinated by his creation, Frankenstein’s enthusiasm soon sours when the Creature does not progress as rapidly as he desires. Victor’s disappointment quickly turns into outright contempt, resulting in emotional and physical cruelty. Instead of nurturing the being he brought to life, Frankenstein exposes the Creature to the harshest aspects of humanity, acting as both a failed father and eventual adversary.
Jacob Elordi’s Monster: Humanity in the Face of Rejection
Jacob Elordi’s portrayal redefines the Creature, focusing on his persistent search for love and belonging despite betrayal. The Creature’s journey is marked by his willingness to love and forgive, learning to read from a kindly elderly man he encounters along the way. These human connections grant him the strength to let go of past transgressions and begin a new chapter. Elordi’s nuanced performance invites audiences to reconsider the boundaries between humanity and monstrosity, exposing the vulnerability at the heart of the myth.
Parallel Themes in Science Fiction
The story’s influence resonates throughout the science fiction genre, particularly as explored in the Alien franchise. Ridley Scott’s Prometheus delves into similar themes of creation and the consequences of unchecked ambition. In this narrative, the Engineers are depicted as ancient life-givers, while Peter Weyland, head of the Weyland Corporation, finances a quest to find them in hopes of securing immortality. Like Harlander, Weyland’s desires are ultimately selfish, seeking to wield unimaginable power for personal gain. When the Engineers reject him, Weyland suffers a catastrophic end, leaving the android David to ponder the ramifications.
This dynamic makes David a contemporary echo of Victor Frankenstein, personifying the ‘modern Prometheus’—an entity determined to control forces beyond comprehension, heedless of the fallout. The Creature’s experiences mirror those of the Engineers, as both start their existence with a degree of innocence only to be twisted by humanity’s interference. These connections underscore the continuing relevance of Frankenstein’s questions about responsibility, knowledge, and the essence of personhood.
Streaming Availability and Cultural Impact
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is currently available for streaming on Netflix. By challenging preconceived notions about who or what the monster truly is, the film breathes new life into a timeless narrative, positioning Jacob Elordi’s Frankenstein performance as a benchmark in not only horror but also in character-driven science fiction. The film’s exploration of trauma, ambition, and forgiveness ensures its place in ongoing conversations about how classic stories can be retold for contemporary audiences.
Reflecting on the Monster’s Lasting Legacy
Del Toro’s film, anchored by Elordi’s compelling take on the character, demonstrates that even the most familiar tales can be reinvigorated through thoughtful reinterpretation. As viewers engage with this latest adaptation, the legacy of Frankenstein—and the questions it raises about science, ethics, and the human soul—remains as potent as ever. Del Toro, Isaac, and Elordi together invite new generations to ponder what it truly means to create and be created.
